Wednesday, February 17, 1999
Water pact could curb annexation
Mason fears county offer has strings
BY SAUNDRA AMRHEIN
The Cincinnati Enquirer
LEBANON — There could be a water shortage in Mason this summer unless the city and Warren County work out a way to bolster the city's dwindling water supply.
Firefighting efforts could be at risk and bans on lawn watering might be slapped on residents because of squabbling over an agreement under which the county sells the city water.
“We don't want to have any water usage restrictions,” said Dick Staten, Mason's vice mayor. “A fire threat is the No. 1 driving force. We need water to fight fires.”
The proposal calls for the county to sell water to Mason until Cincinnati Water Works installs lines to serve the southern half of the city late this year.
Mason, Warren County and Western Water Co. each recently have tapped into Cincinnati Water Works for fear that the Little Miami River Aquifer will not satisfy their long-term needs. If there's a drain on the system this summer because of a drought, Mason could have trouble getting by in the short term. That's why it needs to buy water from Warren County's well system until Cincinnati Water Works' supply flushes through late this year.
Mason is paying Cincinnati Water Works $5 million to extend water lines into Mason to serve the southern half of the city. The lines will provide 5 million gallons of water a day.
Last summer, Warren County sold Mason water on an emergency basis. But this time, the county is calling for a formal agreement. It's a pact some city officials fear could halt Mason's attempts to offer water to prospective development sites outside the city limits.
“It's hard enough to do annexation that if we don't give our service away there's no way to do it,” Mr. Staten said. “There'd be no benefit.”
The county's agreement says the city cannot offer water in unincorporated areas without county permission.
Mason offers water service once a property owner agrees to annex to the city. The county gives final approval.
But city officials worry this water agreement with the county could create barriers for annexation.
Since 1988, Mason has annexed more land than any other municipality in Warren County. Mason's 33 annexations have included prime Deerfield Township areas, such as Paramount's Kings Island, and totaled nearly 4,000 acres.
But commissioners said the clause in the agreement is standard procedure with all the cities and villages who obtain water from the county. It's in place so they don't start providing water in the county's jurisdiction.
“It's a territorial deal when lines get so close together, the part in the middle is going to be fought over,” said Commissioner C. Michael Kilburn. “The question is how are we going to amicably come to a conclusion where both ... feel they have a return on their investment.”
The county and city scheduled a March 4 meeting at the Warren County Administration Building to talk about the areas where their water lines approach one another. The water agreement could be settled at that time.
The issue came to a head because a property owner on Hamilton Road in Turtlecreek Township plans to annex to Mason.
The city had worked out an agreement to service the property owner with a decades-old water line even though the county also had water lines in the area.
But this new water agreement could force Mason to seek the county's permission first, which caused city officials to object.
Aside from the property owner and five lots in question, there are 100 undeveloped acres sitting between the county and city water lines. Such areas could pit the two against each other in future attempts to provide water and pay off infrastructure debt.
“Guys, we got to work together. We all do the same things only for different jurisdictions,” Mr. Kilburn said. “When we get provincial, that's when we get attitudes.”
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